People with chronic health issues are taking control of their wellbeing and avoiding unnecessary trips to hospital, thanks to West Moreton Health's MeCare program.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said West Moreton Heath care teams used the latest technology to remotely monitor and support patients in their own homes.
Mr Miles said since MeCare was launched in 2016, there had been a 35 per cent reduction in preventable hospital visits for patients within the program.
"In-home technology is becoming an increasingly important way to manage the growing demands on our public hospital system and deliver care closer to home," Mr Miles said.
"The award-winning program enhances the patient experience, improves care, reduces costs and supports health care providers across primary, community and acute care settings."
MeCare, which stands for 'Mobile enabled' Care, uses videoconferencing and home monitoring to help chronically-ill patients to better manage their own health.
Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said the program was making a significant improvement in the care of the community.
"Patients are able to check things like weight, blood pressure, blood sugar level and breathing capacity each day," Ms Howard said.
"Once uploaded to a tablet, the information is relayed to the MeCare team who are ready to respond to any health issues."
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said keeping people out of hospital benefited everyone.
"Not only does it keep people with chronic disease out of hospital where they are more comfortable and closer to home, it also takes pressure off the hospital," Mr Madden said.
"The MeCare program is funded as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s record $642.8 million investment in health care in Ipswich and West Moreton in 2019-20."
MeCare Nursing Unit Manager Shannon Wallis said MeCare was designed to help patients understand their health needs and empower them to look after their own health.
"The MeCare clinical team can check in with program participants via video conference and coach them through any health changes or challenges without the need for a trip to hospital," Ms Wallis said.
"The 200 patients using the MeCare service are better caring for themselves and effectively managing their health challenges at home, with less frequent or shorter hospital visits."
MeCare patient John Mahoney is a testimony to the success of the program.
"I was referred to the MeCare program last July while I was a patient at Ipswich Hospital, and I haven’t been back there since," Mr Mahoney said.
"Every morning I submit my blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weight and temperature – it’s easy to do and has been right from the start.
"I'm being treated for Parkinson’s disease and the MeCare team has helped me manage my symptoms and put me in touch with services like rehabilitation, a dietitian, a social worker and a pharmacist.
"I enjoy talking to the team – they are all really friendly and I always feel better after I get off the line from them.
"I'm getting good advice all the time and it just takes the guess work out of everything for me and saves me a lot of run-around."
Managing Director at Philips Australia and New Zealand Matt Moran said Philips was proud to partner with West Moreton Health to deliver new models of care, where connected health technology is used to support proactive care and behavioural change to improve the health and wellbeing of chronically ill patients.